Backworth Colliery Band

Backworth colliery Band

Backworth Band Logo
Background information
Also known as Five Rivers Brass
Genres Brass Band
Years active 1886-
Website Backworth Colliery Band
Members

Musical Director
Colin Harris
Principal Cornet
Benny Coxon
Solo Cornets
Leah Mcmillan
Poppy Knight
Calum Hartwell
Soprano Cornet
Vacancy
Repiano Cornet
Nikita Gilbert-Ovens
2nd Cornets
Penny Walters
Ben Laws
3rd Cornets
Matthew Murdoch
Flugel Horn
Vacancy
Solo Horn
Catherine McKenzie
1st Horn
Alison Lockheart
2nd Horn
Frances Lawson
1st Baritone
Aubrey Crowe
2nd Baritone
Geoff Lawson
Principal Euphonium
Adrian McMillan
Euphonium
Vacancy
1st Trombone
Ellen Clifton
2nd Trombone
Norman Forster
Bass Trombone
Gavin Dudley
Eb Bass
Peter Barker
BBb Bass
David Scoins
Percussion
Karen Snaith
Gillian McMillan

Heather McDougal
Notable instruments
cornet, tenor horn, euphonium, baritone horn, tuba, trombone, percussion

Backworth Colliery Band are a traditional British Brass Band based in Backworth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. The band consist of 27 senior members and 15 junior members, all of whom play brass or percussion instruments fitting the traditional brass band instrumentation.

History of the Band

The early history of the band is something which is by no means clear. The date of around 1886 for the formation of the band has been deduced from Durham League material. It was set up around the same time as what is now Backworth club was built. It started life as a military band, but the band became wholly brass in 1920. The problems stem from the records of the early minutes of the band being missing, possibly lost when they moved rehearsal rooms, as they originally rehearsed in a drinking establishment which is now just across the road from their present base. The band was definitely formed out of the workforce from the surrounding pits, and sponsorship was won from the National Union of Mineworkers before the nationalisation of the coal companies in 1947.

The band has continued to perform at local concerts throughout its life. Of note too are the number of competitions the band has participated in, both locally and nationally. The band has performed as such events as the Whit Fridays, Durham Miner's Gala, CISWO Mineworkers Contest and the National Brass Band Finals.

The band changed name in 2000 to Five Rivers Brass due to a sponsorship with the Five Rivers Group. However the sponsorship only lasted for one year, and the band has reverted to being Backworth Colliery Band.

Membership of the Band

The bands draw their membership from a variety of sources throughout the community. Although the band has a core membership from Backworth, Shiremoor and nearby towns such as Whitley Bay and North Shields, the bands also attract members from further afield such as Jarrow, Durham and Northumberland.

Membership is open to any player with the desire and ability to play a brass or percussion instrument. The band supplies most instruments on a loan basis and the band also provides tuition to any member requiring such assistance. The main instruments of a brass band are cornet, tenor horn, baritone horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba (bass) and percussion.

The band operates a strict Child Protection policy and Equal Opportunities policy. The band is run by a committee and is a volunteer-led, self funding organisation.

Training Band

The training band was formed in 2003 as an independent body to the senior band. Backworth Colliery Training Band is a committee-led organisation, which provides the opportunity for people of all ages in the area to learn and perform brass band music.

The band is divided into two sections; a band for the more proficient players, and individuals who are just starting to learn instruments and require one-on-one tuition.

Many of the training band members also play with the senior band, and are often heard playing at the same events as the senior band.

Other Ensembles

As well as performing as a traditional 27-strong brass band, the band sometimes performs as a smaller group when the occasion demands. The band also perform as a marching band for parades.

Backworth Colliery Band marching

Concerts and Contests

The band performs at many concerts and contests throughout the North East.

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/18/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.